EP2979586B1 - Mattress - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mattress.

Mattresses as beds in beds are in various embodiments in use. Generally, it is known to make such mattresses consisting of different superimposed layers in order to specify by a suitable choice of material of the layers, the properties of the mattress, in particular their Einfederverhalten.

From the DE 20 2011 109 231 U1 For example, a mattress is known which has a cover plate and a bottom plate. Between the cover plate and the bottom plate crossbars are arranged, whereby a receiving space between the bottom plate and the cover plate is formed. In this receiving space balls of foamed material are introduced. The balls are at a distance from each other, which good ventilation properties of the mattress should be obtained.

The DE 20 2010 005 661 U1 relates to a composite spring mattress comprising a surrounding portion forming a receiving space, a sub-pad provided on its surface with a plurality of grooves between which a plurality of protrusions are interposed, the sub-pad resting on the sub-portion of the receiving space is a plurality of spring layers, which are designed as a plurality of individual elastic cubes and arranged on the lower cushion, an upper cushion, which is located on the spring layers, and a cover, with which the surrounding portion, the lower cushion, the spring layers and the upper cushion are sheathed.

The DE 32 09 868 A1 relates to a fluctuation pad made of foam, which is composed of individual cuboid formed and exchangeable held foam parts, which are removably attached by means of a hook and loop fastener on a corresponding in size to the fluctuation base plate.

The DE 10 2011 107 040 A1 relates to a mattress having a cold foam bottom plate with circumferential, raised frame. Within the formed recess one or more viscoelastic padding components are arranged. The lying surface is provided with a thermo-regulating layer and is surrounded by a breathable coating.

The invention has for its object to provide a mattress, on the one hand flexible and inexpensive to produce and at the same time offers a high level of comfort.

To solve this problem, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The invention relates to a mattress with a receiving space limiting boundary elements and polyhedral insert elements, which are arranged in the receiving space with adjoining side surfaces.

The polyhedral insert element (5) has in each case a planar upper side (7) and a flat bottom side (6) extending parallel thereto and four flat identical side surfaces (8) which are arranged perpendicular to one another. The planes of the side surfaces (8) are oriented perpendicular to the planes of the upper side (7) and the lower side (6). The cross-sectional area of the polyhedral insert element (5) is constant in the region of the side surfaces (8). At the upper edges of the side surfaces (8) close first inclined surfaces (9). The inclined surfaces run obliquely towards the upper side (7), so that the cross-sectional area in this area continuously decreases down to the upper side. Symmetrically close to the lower edges of the side surfaces (8) further inclined surfaces (9), which run towards the bottom (6).

A significant advantage of the invention is that the mattress according to the invention has a modular structure, on the one hand allows a rational production and on the other hand allows flexible and in particular individual specification of the properties of the mattress.

The insert elements form a planar, matrix-like arrangement in the receiving space. An essential aspect of the invention consists in the fact that the side surfaces of adjacent insert elements lie against each other and thus form contact surfaces, that is, the respective adjacent insert elements are in contact with each other.

Thus, properties can generally be transferred from one insert element to the next and thus transferred in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction of the mattress. For example, compressive or tensile loads can be applied to the insert elements and passed along adjacent elements. Furthermore, means for adjusting the stiffness, elasticity can be provided, whose setting variables are passed from one insert element to the next. In general, ventilation properties can also be predetermined and passed on from one insert element to the next. In general, there is the passing of such properties on the adjacent Side surfaces a suitable operative connection between the insert elements. In particular, adjusting elements for specifying, in particular, mechanical properties can be provided in the individual insert elements, settings of the setting elements being passed from one insert element to the next via the contact surfaces. For this purpose, adjacent insert elements can be connected to one another via coupling elements.

In general, the side surfaces of adjacent insert elements can be loose, that is, without attachments to each other. The contact between the side surfaces is then obtained solely by the contact pressure between the insert elements after they are inserted into the receiving space.

Alternatively, it is also possible to provide fixing elements, in particular mechanically reversibly detachable fastenings, in order to fix adjacent insert elements with adjoining side faces. Such fixing elements can be formed, for example, by protruding from a side surface of an insert element one or more projections which can be inserted into corresponding recesses in the side surface of the adjacent insert element. The projections may be formed integrally with the insert element and thus consist of the same material as the insert element. Alternatively, hooks may be provided on the side surface of an insert element and hooked into eyelets on adjacent insert elements. Finally, the fixing can also consist of Velcro.

Particularly advantageously, the insert elements have identical outer dimensions.

As a result, the insert elements can be placed in any order in the receiving space together. In particular, the insert elements can be exchanged individually or in groups.

Further advantageously, the insert elements at least partially different properties.

By introducing different properties having insert elements, the properties of the mattress, in particular their strength or resilience, can be specified depending on the location. By a suitable choice of the size of the individual insert elements in relation to the size, in particular base of the receiving space, a high spatial resolution can be achieved in adjusting the properties of the mattress. In general, the higher the spatial resolution, the more insert elements are arranged in the receiving space.

The insert elements are generally made of foam or plastic. Foamed plastic generally comprises special, foamed plastics, in particular thermoplastic, elastomeric or thermosetting foams. Alternatively, non-foamed plastics can be used to form the insert elements.

Different properties of insert elements can be achieved by different choice of material and / or different layer structures of the insert elements. Furthermore, the insert elements can also consist of a core, consisting of a first material, and at least one shell of a second material, with different insert elements geometries and materials of the cores and shells can be varied.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the properties in insert elements can be predetermined as a function of measurements in a person resting on a test specimen.

In this way, the properties of the mattress according to the invention can be precisely and individually adapted to the needs and requirements of the person who wants to use the mattress.

The basic idea of this method is that the person who wants to buy the mattress, before buying a custom-made test measurement. For this purpose, the person lies down on a specimen, which advantageously consists of a reference mattress with homogeneous, that is location-independent properties. With a suitable sensor, the response of the test specimen is then measured by the influencing variables of the person resting on the specimen. The sensors may have sensors of all kinds, in particular optical, capacitive, inductive sensors or also pressure sensors. Depending on the response behavior, different insert elements may then be distributed over the receiving space arranged so as to achieve an optimal adapted to the sample measurement lying behavior of the mattress.

The appropriate insert elements may be determined by a selection from a pool of existing insert elements or by an individual fabrication of insert elements.

In the case of the mattress according to the invention, a frame limiting the insert elements is provided as the first limiting element. As a further limiting elements arranged on the underside of the frame bottom plate and a ceiling plate arranged on the top are provided.

The predetermined by the frame height of the receiving space corresponds to the heights of the insert elements, so that they completely fill the receiving space in a planar matrix arrangement. The limiting elements are advantageously made of foam.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the limiting elements are each formed in several parts, wherein the individual parts are connected via fixing elements.

In general, the fixing elements consist of mechanical connecting elements which form a reversibly detachable connection that can be produced without tools. Particularly advantageously, the fixing elements are formed by Velcro strips.

Due to the multi-part design of the limiting elements, the components form a kit. In this case, it is advantageous in particular that, due to the subdivision of the delimiting elements into individual segments which can be connected by the fixing elements, these individual segments alone are considerably smaller than the entire frame or the entire floor or ceiling panel. The separate segments that form the boundary elements can be accommodated in a space-saving package and be shipped to customers. The customer can then easily assemble the boundary elements by connecting the segments with the fixing elements.

A so summarized in a package kit of a mattress can be sold through a mail order, especially an Internet mail order.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the limiting elements are formed by insert elements.

In this case, the entire mattress is formed only by insert elements, which in turn preferably form a planar matrix-shaped arrangement.

Advantageously, the insert elements forming the boundary elements have the same external dimensions as the remaining insert elements.

The mattress is thus completely formed by insert elements with identical outer dimensions, which can be exchanged arbitrarily and arbitrarily combined.

Since no limiting elements are provided in this case, which hold the insert elements together, it is advantageous in this variant if the mattress forming insert elements are interconnected by fixing or coupling elements.

Figur 1:

Längsschnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Matratze.

Figur 2:

Draufsicht auf die Matratze gemäß Figur 1 bei abgenommener Deckenplatte.

Figur 3:

Erste Ausführungsform eines Einsatzelements für die Matratze gemäß Figur 1.

Figur 4:

Zweite Ausführungsform eines Einsatzelements für die Matratze gemäß Figur 1.

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1:

Longitudinal view of an embodiment of the mattress according to the invention.

FIG. 2:

Top view of the mattress according to FIG. 1 with removed ceiling plate.

FIG. 3:

First embodiment of an insert element for the mattress according to FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 4:

Second embodiment of an insert element for the mattress according to FIG. 1 ,

The Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the mattress according to the invention 1. The mattress 1 has as a receiving space delimiting boundary elements a bottom plate 2, and a ceiling plate 3 and a frame 4 arranged between these elements. The delimiting elements are made of foam. In principle, the limiting elements can each be integrally formed. Advantageously, these are formed in multiple pieces, these elements consist of segments that are connected by Velcro or similar mechanical fixing.

The bottom plate 2 and the ceiling plate 3 each have the shape of a rectangular, flat plate, wherein these are coextensive. The rectangular frame runs around the edge of the mattress 1.

Generally, the invention is not limited to rectangular mattresses. In particular mattresses for campers may have different geometries.

In the enclosed by the boundary elements receiving space insert elements 5 are arranged, which in the present case have identical outer dimensions. The insert elements 5 are made of plastic and / or a foam. Like from the Figures 1 and 2 As can be seen, the insert elements 5 in the receiving space form a planar, matrix-like arrangement, wherein the insert elements 5 extend over the entire surface of the receiving space extend. In this case, each insert element 5 rests with its lower side 6 on the base plate 2 and the upper side 7 of the insert element 5 is in contact with the ceiling plate 3.

Furthermore, the insert elements 5 have planar side surfaces 8. The arrangement of the insert elements 5 in the receiving space is designed so that adjacent insert elements 5 abut each other with their associated side surfaces 8, that are in contact with each other. The side surfaces 8 thus form contact surfaces between adjacent insert elements 5, so that an interaction between them exists such that certain properties can be passed from one insert element 5 to the adjacent insert element 5.

For this purpose, it is sufficient in the simplest case that the side surfaces 8 of adjacent insert elements 5 bear tightly against one another. Alternatively, fixing elements or coupling elements can also be provided on the side surfaces 8.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of an insert element 5 for the mattress according to the Figures 1 and 2 , This in FIG. 3 illustrated insert element 5 has the shape of a polyhedron. This polyhedron has a flat upper side 7 and a flat bottom 6 extending parallel thereto. Furthermore, the polyhedron on four flat, identical side surfaces 8, which are arranged perpendicular to each other. The planes of the side surfaces 8 are oriented perpendicular to the planes of the top and bottom 6.

The square cross-sectional area of the polyhedron is constant in the region of the side surfaces 8. At the upper edges of the side surfaces 8 close first flat inclined surfaces 9, which run obliquely to the top 7, so that the cross-sectional area in this area continuously decreases to the top 7 back. Symmetrically close to the lower edges of the side surfaces 8 more inclined surfaces 9, which run towards the bottom 6 of the polyhedron.

The polyhedron according to FIG. 3 can also be modified in the form of a polyhedron-shaped body such that although the side surfaces 8 form flat surfaces, but the inclined surface 9, the top 7 and / or the bottom 6 can be formed at least partially by curved surfaces. This modification of a polyhedron into a polyhedron-shaped body generally applies to any embodiments of the insert elements 5, in particular also for the embodiment according to FIG FIG. 4 ,

The embodiment of FIG. 4 differs from the insert element 5 of FIG. 3 in that the side surfaces 8 are not directly adjacent to each other, but separated by further inclined surfaces 10.

In both embodiments, the side surfaces 8 and the inclined surfaces 9, 10 may have the same or different material properties.

Although the insert elements 5 of the mattress 1 have identical dimensions, they can however be designed differently with regard to their properties, in particular with regard to their elasticity, strength or compliance, which is achieved, for example, by different material properties of the insert elements 5.

Thus, the properties of the mattress 1 can be varied depending on location, so as to ensure optimum comfort. Particularly advantageously, the properties of the individual insert elements 5 are determined in a calibration process. For this purpose, the person who would like to use the mattress 1 later, on a specimen, such as a reference mattress with homogeneous location-independent properties. With a suitable sensor, the response of the specimen is then measured at the load of the person lying on. Depending on these measured values, suitable insert elements 5 are then positioned depending on the location over the surface of the mattress 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. (1) mattress
2. (2) bottom plate
3. (3) ceiling plate
4. (4) framework
5. (5) insert element
6. (6) bottom
7. (7) top
8. (8) side surface
9. (9) inclined surface
10. (10) inclined surface

Claims (14)

1. Mattress (1) with boundary elements bounding a receiving space and with polyhedron-shaped insert elements (5), which are arranged in the receiving space with mutually adjoining side surfaces (8), characterised in that each polyhedron-shaped insert element (5) has a planar upper side (7) and a planar lower side (6) extending parallel thereto as well as four planar identical side surfaces (8), which are arranged parallel thereto and the planes of which are oriented perpendicularly to the planes of the upper side (7) and the lower side (6), wherein the cross-sectional area of the polyhedron-shaped insert element (5) is constant in the region of the side surfaces (8), wherein first inclined surfaces (9) adjoin the upper edges of the side surfaces (8) and taper at an inclination towards the upper side (7) so that the cross-sectional area in this region continuously reduces towards the upper side (7) and wherein adjoining symmetrically thereto at the lower edges of the side surfaces (8) are further inclined surfaces (9) which taper towards the lower side (6).
2. Mattress according to claim 1, characterised in that the insert elements (5) have identical outer dimensions.
3. Mattress according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the insert elements (5) have at least partly different characteristics.
4. Mattress according to claim 3, characterised in that the characteristics of the insert elements (5) are predeterminable in dependence on measurements for a person lying on a test body.
5. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the insert elements (5) consist of foam material and/or of plastics material.
6. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that adjacent insert elements (5) bear loosely against one another by their side surfaces (8) or that the insert elements (5) are secured to one another by fixing elements or are connected by coupling elements.
7. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a frame (4) laterally adjoining the insert elements (5) is provided as first boundary element.
8. Mattress according to claim 7, characterised in that a base plate (2) arranged at the lower side (6) of the frame (4) and a cover plate (3) arranged at the upper side (7) are provided as further boundary elements.
9. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the boundary elements are each of multi-part construction, wherein the individual parts are connected by way of fixing elements.
10. Mattress according to claim 9, characterised in that the fixing elements are formed by hook-and-burr tapes.
11. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the boundary elements consist of foam material.
12. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the boundary elements are formed by insert elements.
13. Mattress according to claim 12, characterised in that the insert elements forming the boundary elements have the same outer dimensions as the rest of the insert elements.
14. Mattress according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the elements thereof form a constructional set.

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